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Search the Public Notice PortalA developer says it is "working collaboratively" with a council on plans for a new retirement community.
McCarthy Stone first proposed 27 bungalows in Colchester in March.
After a plan was submitted in June, the developer now wants to build 40 retirement apartments and 16 bungalows on the site of the former Arena Leisure Centre.
This site is near the Colchester Roman Circus and within the Garrison Conservation Area.
Historic England has raised concerns about the potential impact of the project on nearby heritage assets.
The letter from Historic England said: "The introduction of residential development on this location would erode the open character of the central grounds around which the different barracks were arranged.
"It would introduce an unrelated use at the heart of the former drill grounds, west of Circular Road East.
"The harm to the character and significance of the conservation area would be considerable."
The application includes plans for a substation, landscaping, and improved presentation of the Roman Circus, which is on the northern part of the site.
Although Historic England acknowledged the potential benefit of reinstating and landscaping part of the scheduled monument, it criticised the application for lacking detail on how the significance of the site would be communicated to residents and visitors.
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It also has concerns about the impact on undesignated archaeology of "high significance" and called for input from specialist planning archaeologists.
The developer’s planning statement says the apartments and bungalows would be restricted to people aged 55 and over, with the average age expected to be 79.
A spokesman for McCarthy Stone said: "Our plans have come forward following extensive stakeholder engagement.
"In the coming weeks it is the role of the council’s planning department and planning committee to balance Historic England’s statutory response with what we believe to be the scheme’s considerable public benefits.
"We have, are and will continue to work collaboratively with the council to bring forward much needed retirement accommodation to support our aging population."
The scheme would include a residents’ lounge, guest suite, secure entrance, and 24-hour emergency support.
Access would be via Circular Road East, with 59 car parking spaces provided.
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